Household recycling reaches 50%
30 October 2017

The latest Waste Management Statistics show a significant upturn in household recycling, achieving a rate of 50% for the first time across Northern Ireland (via DAERA)

The increase has been achieved through an effective partnership between DAERA, local Councils and, especially, householders across Northern Ireland. With the Department’s help, councils have promoted recycling with the latest initiatives from April 2017 aimed at encouraging householders to recycle their food waste. Through the co–operation of households, the Department expects to see sustained improvements in recycling in the coming months and years.

Philip McMurray, Head of Recycling Policy in DAERA, said “I am delighted to see this improvement in recycling rates in the latest Northern Ireland recycling statistics and I am grateful to local Councils and especially to householders for their continued efforts. However, we cannot be complacent. Recycling your food waste can seem strange at first but for most people it soon becomes second nature. And yet such a simple change can make a huge difference. Keeping food waste out of landfill not only helps prevent climate change, but the waste can be turned into a valuable resource for our parks and allotments and the process has already created jobs.”

Mr McMurray was speaking at an event at Fairview Primary in Ballyclare where pupils demonstrated what they have learned about recycling food waste. The children were keen to highlight that recycling is important all year round, but especially at Halloween when we have extra foodstuffs around. DAERA remains determined to continue supporting councils in their drive to expand food waste recycling to all households across Northern Ireland all year round.